Kelechi Nwakali made a statement in League One with a spectacular first goal for Barnsley, helping his side to a gritty 2-1 victory over Exeter City on Saturday.

The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner, who had not scored since April 27 while playing for Casa Pia in Portugal, delivered a stunning performance in Barnsley’s win.

His moment of magic came in the 49th minute when he unleashed a ferocious 25-yard half-volley into the bottom left corner, bringing the visitors level five minutes into the second half.

Nwakali’s equalizer reignited Barnsley’s momentum after they had fallen behind in the 13th minute to a Josh Magennis goal.

The Nigerian midfielder’s brilliance set the stage for Davis Keillor-Dunn, who completed the comeback in the 58th minute with what proved to be the match-winning goal.

This marked a significant outing for Nwakali, who joined Barnsley on a three-year deal in the summer transfer window.

Making his fifth league appearance and first start for the club, he stepped into the starting lineup as a replacement for the suspended Adam Phillips.

Nwakali played the full 90 minutes, bossing the midfield with an outstanding performance. He completed 56 of his 60 attempted passes, recording an impressive 93% accuracy.

His influential display earned him the Man of the Match award, as voted by Barnsley fans on the club’s official website.

The 25-year-old’s impact signals a promising future for him in League One as he continues to adjust to life in English football.

His performance on Saturday not only showcased his technical quality but also highlighted his potential for a regular starting role under manager Darrell Clarke.

For Barnsley, Nwakali’s strike and Keillor-Dunn’s decisive goal secured three crucial points, keeping their promotion hopes alive and showing the resilience of the squad.